Victoria Police has today published its latest crime statistics.
The statistics compare the 12 months to September 2012 with the 12 months to September 2011.
The overall recorded crime rate across the state has increased by 5.9 per cent, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population which is standard across Australia. The total number of offences recorded is up by 7.5 per cent (up 27,516 offences to a total of 395,406 offences).
Crime against the person has increased by 11.3 per cent per 100,000 population. This is largely due to an increase in the rate of assaults, up 14.2 per cent.
Crime against property has increased by 1.7 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population, mainly due to an increase in theft of motor vehicles, up 7.6 per cent, and theft from motor vehicles, up 4.7%.
Drug offences have increased by 20.7 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population.
Other crimes such as justice procedure offences and behaviour in public offences have increased by 18.3 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said family violence was still a driver of increasing crime statistics, with the rate of family violence-related crime increasing by 37 per cent.
DC Nolan also attributed the increase in statistics to more possession and use of drugs across the state, causing crimes against the person and property crime to rise too – a trend seen over the past 12 months.
The local area commanders in charge of each police service area have provided a written commentary accompanying the statistics. To view them visit My Place at www.vicpolicenews.com.au/myplace

Police have arrested seven males following an investigation into 11 armed robberies and robberies in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Five warrants were executed simultaneously at 7.30am today at residential properties on Dunkeld Avenue, Sunshine North; Whitty Avenue, Sunshine; Conrad Street, St Albans; Elphinstone Way, Caroline Springs; and Dumfries Street, Deer Park.
Police from Brimbank Embona, Altona North Divisional Response Unit and Operation BIA arrested and charged the following:
• A 17-year-old Sunshine North male charged with armed robbery and other offences was remanded to appear at a Children’s Court on 13 December; • A 15-year-old Sunshine male charged with armed robbery and other offences was remanded to appear at a Children’s Court on 12 December; • A 16-year-old St Albans male charged with armed robbery and other offences was remanded to appear at a Children’s Court on 17 December; • A 17-year-old Caroline Springs male charged with armed robbery and other offences was bailed to appear at a Children’s Court on 14 January, 2013; • A 14-year-old male of no fixed place of address charged with armed robbery and other offences was remanded to appear at a Children’s Court on 3 December; and • A 16-year-old Deer Park male charged with armed robbery and other offences was remanded to appear at a Children’s Court on 23 November.
A 21-year-old Deer Park male was also interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
The 11 incidents have taken place during the day at various locations between 7 and 20 November this year.

Two men have been charged following an investigation into international credit card skimming.
Detectives from the Fraud and Extortion Squad arrested the men in Clayton yesterday after a raid on a Belmont home.
Mun Keat Looi, 27 and Kim Chuan Jack Lee, 26, both from Clayton, were charged with conspiracy to defraud and possess equipment to make identification documents.
The pair was remanded in custody to front the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.